Men’s Health Awareness Month 2024

You may know it as “Movember”, but it’s about so much more than a great moustache

 

As a provider of male hygiene bins and solutions that help men deal with personal hygiene and incontinence waste, we see this month as a great opportunity to help raise awareness of the problems men suffering with incontinence may face.

Here are some facts about male incontinence that you may not be aware of:

Stigma and underreporting 

Male incontinence remains a sensitive issue, and many men delay seeking help. Studies indicate that only 1 in 4 men with incontinence will seek medical assistance, often due to embarrassment or the belief that it’s a normal part of ageing.

Types of Incontinence

The two most common forms of male incontinence are:

Urge Incontinence: Often associated with an overactive bladder, urge incontinence affects up to 7% of men in the UK

Stress Incontinence: Caused by pressure on the bladder from actions like coughing or sneezing, stress incontinence is less common in men but still affects a significant proportion, particularly after certain medical procedures, such as prostate surgery

Prevalence

An estimated 10-15% of men over 65 experience urinary incontinence, with some studies suggesting that up to 1 in 10 men overall may experience some form of incontinence in their lifetime.

Impact of prostate surgery 

Incontinence is a known potential side effect of prostate surgery. Between 6% and 8% of men who undergo prostate removal (radical prostatectomy) may experience long-term incontinence.

Health and mental well-being

Incontinence can have a profound impact on mental health, contributing to issues like depression, anxiety, and social withdrawal. A survey found that 1 in 3 men with incontinence reported avoiding social situations out of embarrassment or fear of an accident.

Economic Cost

The NHS spends millions annually on the management of urinary incontinence. Estimates suggest that the total cost of incontinence care in the UK exceeds £1.5 billion per year, which includes medical care, products, and support services.

Lifestyle Impact

Incontinence can limit men’s ability to participate in daily activities, exercise, and work. Research indicates that men with incontinence are more likely to experience a lower quality of life due to the restrictions and self-consciousness the condition imposes.

Treatment Options and Success Rates

Treatment options for male incontinence range from pelvic floor exercises to surgical options like artificial urinary sphincters. Studies suggest that 80-90% of men can see improvement with appropriate treatment, particularly if they seek help early.



At Simply Washrooms, we firmly believe addressing male incontinence more openly can help reduce the stigma, encourage men to seek support, and improve their overall quality of life.By providing businesses with hygiene bins for male washrooms, we’re taking an active role in reducing the stigma associated with male incontinence and ensuring male employees get the dignity they deserve in the workplace.

For more information about our male hygiene bins, contact hello@simplywashrooms.com or check out our full brochure here. And for more information about male incontinence, we recommend visiting Prostate Cancer UK and Bowel Cancer UK.